Water inlet protection system

ABSTRACT

A water inlet protection system and apparatus for removing sediment and/or chemical from water or other fluids is provided. The system may include a filtration material that is configured to be water permeable and to collect sediment within the water. The system may be configured to be removably secured to various types of storm drains or water inlets. The system may include a frame configured to be removably attached to a storm grate. The frame may also include a plurality of tabs extending from the frame and be slidably adjustable. The system may also include an s-clip member or magnets for removably securing the filtration material to a storm drain or water inlet. Furthermore, the water inlet protection system may include one or more over-flow protection openings. The over-flow protection openings may include a raised member or barrier to regulate the water level where over-flow occurs.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Divisional Application of U.S. Ser. No.15/359,907, filed Nov. 23, 2016, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119 to provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/259,985, filed Nov.25, 2015, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a water inlet protection system. Morespecifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a waterfiltration system for use with a water inlet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As the world continues to grow and expand, construction and theharvesting of natural resources has increased exponentially. Theseactivities impact the environment. Specifically, some of the Earth'sgreatest landscapes are threatened by increased road construction, oiland gas exploration, and mining. Soil erosion, run-off, and chemicalsleaching into the soil or ground water supplies are just a few of themany things that can negatively impact the environment. Becauseimpervious surfaces (parking lots, roads, buildings, compacted soil) donot allow rain to infiltrate into the ground, more runoff is generatedthan in the undeveloped condition. This additional runoff can erodewatercourses (streams and rivers) as well as cause flooding after thestorm water collection system is overwhelmed by the additional flow.Because the water is flushed out of the watershed during the stormevent, little infiltrates the soil, replenishes groundwater, or suppliesstream base flow in dry weather. The negative effect of these events canbe greatly increased when improper or outdated erosion and sedimentcontrol systems are put into place.

Current erosion and sediment control systems include the use of siltfencing, sand bags, and storm drain covers. Silt fences are oftenperimeter controls, typically used in combination with sediment basinsand sediment traps, as well as erosion controls, which are designed toretain sediment in place where soil is being disturbed by constructionprocesses. A typical fence consists of a piece of synthetic filterfabric (also called a geotextile) stretched between a series of woodenor metal fence stakes along a horizontal contour level. The stakes areinstalled on the downhill side of the fence, and the bottom edge of thefabric can be trenched into the soil and backfilled on the uphill side,although it is quite difficult to move the trenched “soil” from thedownside to the upside of the trench. The design/placement of the siltfence should create a pooling of runoff, which then allows sedimentationto occur. Water can seep through the silt fence fabric, but the fabricoften becomes “blocked off” with fine soil particles. Sediment iscaptured by silt fences primarily through ponding of water and settling,rather than filtration by the fabric. Sand and silt tends to clog thefabric, and then the sediments settle in the temporary pond. Silt fencefabrics (geotextiles) tested in laboratory settings have shown to beeffective at trapping sediment particles. Although there have been fewfield tests of silt fences installed at construction sites, these testshave shown generally poor results. Other studies and articles about siltfence usage and practice document problems with installation andmaintenance, implying poor performance.

Other forms of sediment control and erosion prevention include the useof sandbag barriers, fiber rolls, and storm drain inlet protection.Sandbag barriers may prevent or divert the flow of contaminated wateraway from a water source or storm drain, but they fail to provide afilter for removing contaminants from the water and allowing clean waterto pass through. Fiber rolls are generally a temporary erosion controland sediment control device used on construction sites to protect waterquality in nearby streams, rivers, lakes and seas from sediment erosion.Typically they will be made of straw, coconut fiber or similar materialformed into a tubular roll. While these fiber rolls do provide a basicform of filtration, they generally provide only minimal filtration andare not reusable. Some of the disadvantages of fiber rolls are that theymay be difficult to move once they become saturated with water, theyshould not be used on very steep land, and if the rolls are not properlystaked into the ground, they may be carried away by high flows. Stormdrain inlet protections typically only include a steel grate with largeopenings. While they prevent large items from entering a storm drain orinlet, they fail to prevent soil sediment and other contaminants fromentering the drain. A sand barrier or fiber roll may be placed around astorm drain inlet to provide additional protection, but these itemstypically provide either extremely slow flow rates or else minimalfiltration.

Therefore, there exists a need in the art for an apparatus and systemthat allows for improved filtration and removal of sediment and otherpollutants from water, as well as providing an increased flow ratethrough the filtration system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is a primary object, feature, and/or advantage of theinvention to improve on and/or overcome the deficiencies in the art.

It is another object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention toprovide an apparatus and system that includes a frame with a pluralityof tabs extending from the periphery of the frame.

It is yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention toprovide an apparatus and/or system for use with a storm drain or waterinlet that is configured to remove sediment and other contaminants fromwater.

It is a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the invention toprovide an apparatus with an adjustable frame and plurality of tabsextending from the frame, wherein the frame may be adjustably configuredto fit multiple storm drain and inlet sizes.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the inventionto provide a system including a frame with a plurality of tabs extendingfrom the periphery of the frame, wherein the tabs are configured toremovably secure the frame via a friction fit to a grate of a stormdrain.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the inventionto provide a drain inlet protection system including a frame, aplurality of tabs extending from the frame, and a filtration materialremovably secured to the frame. Wherein the filtration material isconfigured to be water permeable and to filter out sediment from thewater.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the inventionto provide a drain inlet protection system including a frame with one ormore corner members that are slidably interconnected to one another,said frame adjustable to fit multiple storm drain opening and/or gratesizes.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the inventionto provide a drain inlet protection system including a filtrationmaterial removably secured to a storm drain opening by one or moremagnets that are attached to the filter material.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the inventionto provide a drain inlet protection system including one or more s-clipmembers configured to secure a filtration material within an open throatdrain inlet, said one or more s-clip members securing the materialwithin the opening via a pressed or friction fit.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the inventionto provide a drain inlet protection system.

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the inventionto provide a drain inlet protection system utilizing a filtrationmaterial with a water flow rate of approximately 190 gpm/ft².

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the inventionto provide a drain inlet protection system utilizing a filtrationmaterial with a water flow rate of approximately 240 gpm/ft².

It is still a further object, feature, and/or advantage of the inventionto provide a drain inlet protection system utilizing a filtrationmaterial with a water flow rate between approximately 190 gpm/ft² andapproximately 240 gpm/ft² and a filtering efficiency of approximately90%.

These and/or other objects, features, and advantages of the inventionwill be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention is not to belimited to or by these objects, features and advantages. No singleembodiment need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Appendix A is an example of a marketing piece that includes additionalinformation on one embodiment according to at least some aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a drain inletprotection system.

FIG. 2A is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a drain inletprotection system.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the drain inlet protection system ofFIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a drain inletprotection system.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the drain inlet protection system ofFIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a top view of the inlet protection system frame of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the inletprotection system frame of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3E is a side view of the inlet protection system frame of FIG. 3D.

FIG. 4A is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a drain inletprotection system.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the drain inlet protection system ofFIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a drain inletprotection system.

FIG. 5B is a side view of the inlet protection system of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a draininlet protection system including overflow protection.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a draininlet protection system including overflow protection.

FIG. 6C is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a drain inletprotection system including overflow protection.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a draininlet protection system.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a draininlet protection system.

FIG. 8A is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a drain inletprotection system.

FIG. 8B is a side view of the drain inlet protection system of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a drain inlet protection system of FIG.1 including a drain inlet back-stop.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the drain inlet back-stop of FIG. 9A incombination with the alternative embodiment of a drain inlet protectionsystem of FIG. 2.

Various embodiments of the invention will be described in detail withreference to the drawings and appendices, wherein like referencenumerals represent like parts throughout the several views. Reference tovarious embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention. Figuresrepresented herein are not limitations to the various embodimentsaccording to the invention and are presented for exemplary illustrationof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is directed towards an apparatus and system for filteringwater at a storm drain or water inlet. A water inlet protection systemmay be used to prevent unwanted sediment and other contaminants fromentering a storm drain, water inlet, or the like. For example, a waterinlet protection system may be inserted in a storm drain to filter waterthat enters the drain, the system removing unwanted sediment andcontaminants. Generally a water inlet protection system may include afilter or filtering material. For example, the water protection systemshown in Appendix A includes a filter material that is configured totrap sediment contained in water that passes through the storm draingrate and allow the filtered water to pass through into the drain.

Referring to FIG. 1, an example embodiment for an above grate waterinlet protection system 30 is shown. The system 30 may be configured tofit any size, shape or configuration of above ground storm drain orwater inlet. For example, the system may be configured to fit a squaredrain, a round drain, or a vertically oriented drain on the side of acurb. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a lower portion 33 or flapthat may be tucked under the grate, wherein the grate creates a frictionfit to help hold the system 30 in place. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1may also be used in connection with the above grate systems shown inFIGS. 6A-7B (described in more detail below and shown in FIGS. 6A and7A) and/or with the below grate systems shown in FIGS. 2A-3E (describedin more detail below). The filter material 34 for the above grate systemmay be the same or similar to Grey Material, which will be described inmore detail below. The system 30 may be removably attached to the waterinlet by one or more magnets 32. The system may also include a neopreneor similar rubber-type material attached to the perimeter of thefiltration material 34. The neoprene may be configured to create a sealaround the perimeter of the water inlet to prevent water from enteringthe inlet without first passing through the material 34 to be filtered.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-4B, example embodiments of a water inletprotection system that includes a frame 10 is shown. The frame 10 may beconstructed of one or more corner members 12 and 14 that may be securelyfastened to one another in a solid configuration. In a preferredembodiment, the frame 10 of the system may be configured to sit on theunderside of the grate 44, wherein the frame 10 is pinched between thegrate and the drain opening. However, it should also be understood thatit is contemplated that the frame may be configured to sit and/or beattached to the top of the grate 44. The solid frame 10 configurationmay be in the shape of a circle (as shown in FIG. 4A-4B), square (asshown in FIGS. 2A-2B and 3D), rectangle (as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C), orany other polygonal shape. While not shown in the figures, the cornersmay also be inverted or rounded to fit a specific drain opening or gratesize. It is also contemplated that the corner members 12 and 14 may beadjustably connected. For example, opposing corners 12 and 14 may beslidably connected using a pin 18 and a track or slot 16. The corners 12and 14 may also be slidably connected by a solid member (not shown),wherein each of the corner section 12 and 14 includes a pin 18 that isconfigured to slidably attach to tracks at opposing ends of the solidmember. The pins 18 in the corner sections may be configured to slidewithin the track or slot of the solid member connecting the cornermembers. In one example embodiment, the adjustable frame 10 mayconfigured to adjust the length and width of a square or rectangularshaped storm drain or water inlet. The frame 10 may include slidablyadjustable members 12 and 14 that allow the length and width of theframe to be adjusted to correspond to the size of the drain.Furthermore, the frame 10 is configured for attachment of a filter orfilter material 34. As shown in the picture included in FIGS. 2A-4B, thefilter material 34 may be attached by wrapping it around a portion ofthe corner members 12 and 14. The filter material 34 may be secured bysewing the seam 46, attaching Velcro® along the seam 46, hooks, pins, orother similar means of securing the material 34 in place. An examplefilter material 34 is a High Flow Grey Material that includes thefollowing approximate properties:

Properties ASTM TEST Value Mass per Unit D 3776 5.2 Area (oz/yd2) GrabTensile Strength, D 4632 297 × 223 MD × CD (lbs) Grab Elongation, D 463258/59 MD × CD (%) Trapezoid Tear, D 4533 81 × 75 MD × CD (lbs) Puncture(lbs) D 4833 99 Burst Strength (psi) D 3786 340 Permittivity (sec-1) D4491 2.60 A.O.S. (U.S. sieve-(mm) D 4751 60 Water Flow Rate (gpm/ft2) D4491 192 Filtering Efficiency (%) D 5141 91.6While the High Flow Grey is given as an example above, any suitablefilter or filtering material 34 may be used. An example of an advantageprovided by the referenced material, is that the material is reusable.The High Flow Grey Material may be removed from the storm drain, thesediment captured in the material may be removed from the material anddisposed in a proper manner, and the material may be reinstalled in thedrain. The material 34 may be rinsed and reused multiple times withoutcompromising the filtering properties or flow properties. Also shown inthe image included in FIGS. 2B, 3B, and 4B, it can be seen that at thecorners of the frame 10, there may be openings or cut-outs 42 in thefilter material 34. These openings 42 are intended to provide overflowprotection in the event the filter material 34 becomes plugged orclogged to the point water is unable to pass through the material 34. Ifthis occurs, the water may still be able to pass through the openings 42in the corners to prevent water from backing up or flooding over intoother areas because the drain is blocked. The frame 10 and/or material34 may also include a loop or handle 38 for lifting and/or removing thesystem 10 from a storm drain/water inlet.

Referring to FIG. 3D, a top view of the adjustable frame 10 is shown.While FIGS. 2A-2B and 3D depict the frame 10 in a generally squareconfiguration, it should be understood that other sizes and shapes areconsidered. For example, the frame 10 may be adjusted to be in the shapeof a rectangle (FIGS. 3A-3C), or additional slidably adjustable sidesmay be added to create a pentagon, hexagon, or similar shapes that maybe utilized to fit a round shaped storm drain or sewer opening. Eachside of the frame includes a top member 14 and an opposing bottom member12. The top and bottom members 14 and 12 are slidably connected by oneor more pins 18 or similar means of slideable or telescoping attachmentor connection. For example, the top member 14 may include a fixed pin 18extending downward through a slot or track 16 cut in the bottom member12. Conversely, the bottom member 12 may include a fixed pin 18extending upward through a slot or track 16 in the top member 14. Thepins 18 and tracks or slots 16 are configured to allow the top andbottom members 14 and 12 to slide relative to one another, shortening orlengthening that side of the frame 10. All sides of the frame 10 may beconfigured in a similar manner to allow the length of each side to beadjustable. It is also contemplated that the corners may be attached bya connection member that allows for slideable adjustment of the size andlength of the frame 10. The connection may be attached to the top orbottom of both opposing corner members 12 and 14, or the connectionmember may connect to the top of one member 12 and the bottom of theopposing member 14, or vice versa. The connection may be flat or mayinclude one or more bends to achieve the required fit and/or adjustment.It is also contemplated that the adjustable frame may incorporate atelescoping mechanism to provide adjustment of the frame.

Referring to FIG. 3E, a side view of one side of the frame is shown. Itcan be seen how the top and bottom members 14 and 12 may be orientedrelative to one another. Also shown are how the pins 18 extend from thetop member 14 down through the bottom member 12 and vice versa.Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2A-4B, located in the corners of theframe 10 are tabs 20 that extend vertically from the frame. These tabs20 are configured to hold the frame 10 in place when positioned in astorm drain or water inlet. For example, the frame 10 may be placed in astorm drain with a filter material 34 attached. The frame 10 may beextended to fit the size of the drain. Once the frame 10 has beenextended to fit the drain, the grate 44 may be placed on top of theframe 10. The tabs 20 may be configured to be outside the outer edge ofthe frame of the storm grate, therefore preventing the adjustable frame10 from being pulled inward when a weight or force is applied to thefilter material 34 by fluid or material trying to pass through thedrain. The tabs 20 may create a friction fit with the grate to hold thesystem 10 in place. While the frame has been described as adjustable, itis contemplated that a solid frame may also utilize the tabs 20 forpositioning, orienting, or holding in place the frame relative to astorm drain grate or sewer cover.

Referring to FIGS. 5A-5B, an example embodiment of a water inletprotection system 30 for use with an open throat inlet along a curb 50,or similar. This embodiment includes an s-shaped clip member 35 that maybe sewn into the filtering material 34. The s-clips 35 may be located atthe ends or edges 37 of the inlet system 30, but additional s-clips 35may be located along the width of the system to provide additionalsupport if needed. The s-clips 35 generally may be constructed of aflexible material, such as a metal alloy or plastic polymer. The clips35 should provide necessary strength and flexibility properties to bewedged into the open throat inlet opening along a curb 50 to create apressed or friction fit with the inlet opening of the curb 50, as shownin the side view of FIG. 5B. This embodiment of the protection system 30may include a neoprene strip 36 along the horizontally oriented edges toprovide a seal to the curb or drain surface when the neoprene is wet.S-clips 35 may be attached to the filtration material 34 by sliding theclips 35 in between seams in the fabric or other similar means ofremovable attachment may be utilized. The edges of the material 34 maybe configured to butt up end to end to attach additional open throatprotection systems 30 together if a wider system is needed for aparticular drain or inlet. The Velcro™ may also be configured forattaching a solid member that may be configured to directing the flow ofthe water through the filter material.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, three example embodiments of an above gratesystem 30 are shown. Common components that may be included in all threeembodiments include a handle or pull strap 38, magnets 32, and aneoprene strip 36. The handle or pull strap 38 may be used for liftingor removing the system 30 from a storm drain or water inlet. The magnets32 may be sewn into or similarly attached to the filter material 34 andconfigured/positioned to magnetically/removably attach the system 30 toa steel grate 44 or inlet of a storm drain or similar water inlet. Forexample, in the square shaped embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, themagnets 32 may be located at the corners so as to magnetically attachthe system 30 to the corner of square grate 44 of a storm drain.Generally the magnets 32 may be positioned anywhere within the confinesof the protection system, but typically will be located proximate to thecorners or edges so as to create a seal at the outer edge so that stormwater may not enter the drain without first passing through the filtermaterial 34. The magnets 32 also serve to hold the system 30 in place,such that it does not blow away or get swept away by flowing water. Themagnets 32 may also be placed on top of the fabric. Similarly, aneoprene strip(s) 36 may be included or sewn into the outer edge of thematerial 34 of the system 30 and configured to create a seal at theouter edge to prevent water from entering the drain 44 without firstpassing through the filter material 34. The neoprene 36 may beconfigured, such that when wet, it will increase in weight and create aseal with the grate 44 of the drain or the structure surrounding thedrain.

FIG. 6A shows an example embodiment of the system 30 for use with avertical water inlet on the side of a curb may also include a solidcore, such as a polyethylene member, that is designed to give the system30 structure and rigidity along the back edge along vertical inletportion of the curb 50. The solid core may also serve to prevent theflow of water through the vertical portion of the inlet, which typicallymay not include any type of grate or screening, while directing thewater to pass through the filter material 34 located on top of thehorizontal portion of the drain/grate 44.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-8B, examples of the square and circularembodiments of the above grate protection system 30 are shown. In FIGS.6B and 7B, the square system 30 is shown, include one or more handles38, magnets 32, neoprene strips 36, and the filter material 34.Similarly, FIGS. 6C and 8A-8B show examples of round embodimentsincluding one or more handles 38, magnets 32, neoprene strips 36, andthe filter material 34. FIGS. 6A-6C show example embodiments of thesystem 30 including an overflow protection member 40 surrounding acut-out portion 42 of the filtering material 34. The overflow protectionmember 40 may be included in any or all embodiments of the water inletprotection system 30. The overflow protection barrier shown in FIG.6A-6C. may include an elevated ring or square member 40 with a hole inthe center 42 that allows water to pass directly through to the drain44. The overflow protection member 40 is intended to provide overflowprotection in the event the filter material 34 becomes plugged orclogged to the point water is unable to pass through the material 34. Ifthis occurs, the water may still be able to pass through the openings 42in the center to prevent water from backing up or flooding over intoother areas because the material 34 over the drain 44 is blocked.

As shown in FIG. 6A-6C, the overflow protection barrier may be elevatedabove the filter material 34 to facilitate or encourage water to passthrough the filter material 34 as opposed to entering the drain 44through the hole 42 in the center of the overflow barrier 40. The heightof the overflow barrier 40 may be configured based on the specific needsat a particular drain site. For example, if a standing water levelexceeding three inches (3″) would be damaging or hazardous to thesurrounding area, the protection member 40 may be configured to have aheight of two inches to prevent standing water from ever reaching aheight of three inches (3″). However, if it is more important that allwater entering a particular drain pass through the filter material 34,the height of the protection member 40 may be increased.

FIGS. 7A-8B show alternative embodiments of a drain inlet protectionsystem that may be attached to the top of the grate of a storm drain orsimilar water inlet. The embodiments shown in FIG. 7A-8B do not includethe water over flow barrier or cut-out.

Referring to FIG. 9A, an alternative embodiment of the system 30represented in FIG. 1 is shown. FIG. 9A shows an inlet protection systemincluding a back-stop 31 that is not permeable. The system 30 shown inFIG. 9A may be configured to have a non-permeable backstop to direct theflow of water elsewhere, and prevent water from entering an opening onthe vertical portion of a curb 50. The embodiment shown in FIG. 9A maybe utilized in combination with the other inlet protection systems 10and/or 30 described above. For example, the system 30 of claim 9A may beused in connection with the below-grate inlet protection system 10 shownin FIGS. 2-3, wherein the lower portion of 33 of system 10 may beinserted underneath the grate 44 that the below-grate frame 12 and 14 ofthe inlet protection system 30 is attached to. In this example, theback-stop 31 will prevent water from flowing in the verticalinlet/opening on the curb 50, and will re-direct the water to flow downthe grate 44, wherein the water will be filtered through the filtermaterial 34 attached to the frame 12 and 14. The back-stop 31 may alsobe used in connection with the above-grate systems shown in FIGS. 6 and7, as depicted in FIGS. 6A and 7A.

While not shown in the figures, it should be understood that alternativeforms of water filtration and inlet protection systems have beencontemplated. For example, the filtering material described above may beutilized to construct a dewatering bag to filter sediment out of waterpumped through the bag prior to entering a drain or other water system.The dewatering bag may be made or constructed of a filter materialsimilar to the material described above. Furthermore, the dewatering bagmay be configured to be used in conjunction with a hose or pump. Inpreferred embodiment that dewater bag may be attached to a hose that isconnected to the outlet of a pump. For example, the dewatering bag mayinclude an opening or inlet that may be configured for attaching a hoseto the dewatering bag. The bag may then be placed near or proximate to adrain or water inlet, and as the pump transfers water to the dewateringbag, the water will pass through the filter material, leaving sedimentand other contaminants trapped in the dewatering bag. Furthermore,chemicals and/or other filtering elements may be inserted in thedewatering bag to aid with the removal or reduction of harmfulchemicals, such as nitrates, from the water.

The dewatering bags may come in many shapes and sizes. For example, ashort and wide shaped configuration may be utilized for a dewateringbag. Alternatively, the dewatering bag may be long and narrow. The sizeand shape of the dewatering bag may be configured based on the size ofthe drain or water inlet. The size of the dewatering bag may also beconfigured based on the size of the pump and/or the amount of fluidpumped It may also be configured based on pump size and/or the size ofthe hose utilized to pump water into the dewatering bag. A strap may beutilized to removably secure the dewatering bag to a hose or pump. Forexample, a strap that includes a D-ring clip for fastening the strap maybe used to removably secure the dewatering bag to a pump outlet.

This embodiment of the protection system will generally come in apredetermined length, for example ten feet (10′) lengths. The ends ofthe protection system may include Velcro™, D-rings and a strap, orsimilar means of connection that are configured for attaching multiplelengths of the protection system together. A strap may also be used forattaching multiple lengths of the protection system together. Theprotection system may be configured to include handles that can be usedin moving or placing the protection system. It is also contemplated thatthe water inlet protection system may include filter material (asdescribed above) attached to a plurality of wood or metal stakes orsimilar. The stakes may be utilized to orient the filter material in avertical position. Furthermore, the stake can hold the filter materialin place and attach the filter material to the ground and provide aboundary for filtering out sediment from water. The filter material mayhave a height of approximately 39.5 inches.

Another embodiment of a water inlet protection system may also beconfigured for use in the concrete or construction industry. Forexample, the water inlet protection system may be configured to separatethe sediment and materials included in concrete from the water. Whencleaning tools or rinsing out containers utilized in pouring concrete,any leftover or reaming concrete must be properly disposed of and shouldnot be rinsed down a drain. The water inlet protection system mayinclude a base and frame for attaching a filtering material to. The baseand frame may be configured in a square, rectangular or generally roundshape, but may be constructed in any shape that includes an opening atthe top. The concrete may be rinsed into the filter material and waterapplied. Chemicals should also be added to aid the removal or reductionof PH levels and/or contaminants. For example, Bio-flucculant andPLO-flocculant-enables filtering of fines. PH Stabilizer may also beadded to relegate PH when needed. For use with concrete, an additionalgeotextile fabric is required to slow the filtration process and allowthe chemicals to mix/interact with the concrete and water mixture. Thefilter material may be configured to remove the concrete material andother sediment, while allowing the water to pass through the material.The water passing through the filter material may then pass safelythrough the drain or water inlet without introducing the sediment andcontaminants included in concrete. Filtering out the water from theconcrete also allows the concrete material to dry faster and be properlydisposed of once captured by the filter material.

While many embodiments of the filter material 34 to be used with thewater inlet protection systems described above are contemplated, twoexample embodiments of the material are described in greater detailbelow. One example embodiment of filter material with the followingproperties and/or characteristics:

Properties ASTM TEST Value Mass per Unit D 3776 5.2 Area (oz/yd2) GrabTensile Strength, D 4632 297 × 223 MD × CD (lbs) Grab Elongation, D 463258/59 MD × CD (%) Trapezoid Tear, D 4533 81 × 75 MD × CD (lbs) Puncture(lbs) D 4833 99 Burst Strength (psi) D 3786 340 Permittivity (sec-1) D4491 2.60 A.O.S. (U.S. sieve-(mm) D 4751 60 Water Flow Rate (gpm/ft2) D4491 192 Filtering Efficiency (%) D 5141 91.6An alternative embodiment of the filter material may include a filtermaterial with the following properties and/or characteristics:

Properties ASTM TEST Value Mass per Unit Area (oz/yd2) ISO 9073-1 3.84Breaking Strength, MD (lbs/2 in) ISO 9073-3 102.4 Breaking Strength, CMD(lbs/2 in) ISO 9073-3 87.9 Elongation to break, MD (%) ISO 9073-3 32.8Elongation to break, CMD (%) ISO 9073-3 34.7 Water Flow Rate (gpm/ft2)Mfg Testing 240It is also contemplated that a filtering material 34 may be utilizedthat includes a flow rate somewhere in between the two materialsreferenced above.

A water inlet protection system including a filter material capable ofremoving sediment and other water contaminants, while allowing for animproved flow of water has thus been described. The present inventioncontemplates numerous variations, options and alternatives, and is notto be limited to the specific embodiments described herein. For example,any of the alternative embodiments described above may be modified orused in combination with one or more of the other embodiments. Otherchanges are considered to be part of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drain inlet protection system, said systemcomprising: a filtration material configured to be water permeable andto collect sediment; and one or more magnets configured to removablysecure to the filtration material to a drain opening.
 2. The drain inletprotection system of claim 1, wherein the filtration material provides awater flow rate of 192 gpm/ft² and a filtering efficiency of 91%.
 3. Thedrain inlet protection system of claim 2, wherein the filtrationmaterial provides a water flow rate of 240 gpm/ft².
 4. The drain inletprotection system of claim 1, further comprising an overflow opening. 5.The drain inlet protection system of claim 4, further comprising anoverflow member proximate to the overflow opening, said overflow memberconfigured to create an elevated barrier to the overflow opening.
 6. Thedrain inlet protection system of claim 1, further comprising one or morehandles.
 7. The drain inlet protection system of claim 1, furthercomprising a sealing member proximate to an outer edge of the filtrationmaterial, said sealing member made of a neoprene material and configuredto create a seal between the curb and the filtration material.
 8. Thedrain inlet protection system of claim 1, further comprising a frame. 9.The drain inlet protection system of claim 8, wherein a portion of thefiltration material is wrapped about the frame.
 10. The drain inletprotection system of claim 8, wherein the frame is an adjustable framethat further comprises a top member and an opposing bottom member, saidtop member and said bottom member in slideable communication with oneanother.
 11. The drain inlet protection system of claim 8, wherein theframe is an adjustable frame that further comprises a plurality of solidcorner members slidably interconnected by one or more flat members. 12.The drain inlet protection system of claim 8, wherein the framecomprises one or more corners.
 13. The drain inlet protection system ofclaim 12, wherein the filtration material further comprises a cut-outsection proximate to the one or more corners of the frame.
 14. A draininlet protection system, said system comprising: a filtration materialconfigured to be water permeable and to collect sediment; one or moremagnets configured to removably secure the filtration material to adrain opening; a solid frame removably secured to the filtrationmaterial to retain the filtration material in a desired shape.
 15. Thedrain inlet protection system of claim 14, wherein the one or moremagnets are located on top of the filtration material.
 16. The draininlet protection system of claim 14, wherein the one or more magnets arepositioned such as to create a seal at the outer edge.
 17. A drain inletprotection system, said system comprising: a filtration materialconfigured to be water permeable and to collect sediment; one or moremagnets located on top of the filtration material and configured toremovably secure the filtration material to a drain opening and create aseal at the outer edge; a solid frame removably secured to thefiltration material to retain the filtration material in a desiredshape; a plurality of tabs extending from the periphery of the frameconfigured to removably secure the frame to a storm drain cover and/orgrate; one or more handles attached to the filtration material; and oneor more neoprene strips secured to the filtration material.
 18. Thedrain inlet protection system of claim 17, wherein the desired shapeincludes a plurality of corners and wherein the magnets are locatedproximate to the corners.
 19. The drain inlet protection system of claim17, wherein the solid frame is a round shaped frame.
 20. The drain inletprotection system of claim 19 further comprising an outer diameter ofthe round shaped frame and wherein the magnets are located proximate tothe outer diameter.